A week of changes...

This last week has seen two major changes in my life.

The first is a change in my work life. Our current Principal announced at the beginning of the year that he would not be renewing his contract and moving on to pastures new. This started the search for his replacement with advertisements being place in the British press and culminated in two candidates coming for interview in December.

After the interviews it was felt, that neither candidate was quite what we were looking for and so we started to think outside the box. The final upshot is that we are not filling the Principal’s vacancy and instead we are planning to run both halves of the school, primary and secondary, as more separate entities each with their own Headteacher. So from August 1st 2009 I will Headteacher of the British Overseas School (Secondary).

I am really excited about the future and also a little bit scared!! I know that the change of roles is going to involve a lot of work but I am looking forward to the challenge.

The second is a change in my family life. My sister called me yesterday to tell me that our grandmother had died suddenly a couple of hours earlier. This was a major shock for all the family as although she was in hospital, with a water infection, plans were being made for her to return home. Out of nowhere she had a major stroke and passed away a couple of hours later with my mum and uncle there with her. My other uncle arrived a few minutes later and my aunt was away in France with my cousin, though they have arrived back in Manchester this morning

I spoke to my mum later and she is coping well, though obviously in shock and taken up with all the necessary arrangements. She has told me that I shouldn’t go to the UK for the funeral and so I won’t be. This is one of the hardest things about living so far from home, but being realistic it is such a long way to go. Thankfully, I saw grandma in October when I was home for mum’s 60th birthday. Next week will be difficult though for all of us as Tuesday would have been grandma’s birthday.

In the last few minutes I have received a message from my mum to tell me that my step dad’s aunt has died this morning. Your prayers for me and the family would be gratefully appreciated…